Oil Cooler Lines - replacement

[joeyoesprit]

Well I received the bad news that both of my Oil Cooler Lines are leaking at the engine and at both coolers. No oil spots in the garage. Dealer said that they should be replaced and the process has a high labor rate. He quoted me a price of $1200US for the labor plus parts (will end up at a $2000US bill). Is this reasonable? Has anyone changed these and if so how difficult is this procedure? I heard that many people have issues with the fitting on the oil cooler and they end up replacing the coolers because they snap off.

Is $2000US a reasonable price for this job? I have rebuild engines and changed brakes and radiators before but this job looks intimidating to me. Has anyone done this procedure before and how difficult was it.

Please help

JoeyO

2001 V8

[hedgerley]

Had mine done at a main UK dealer. One of the coolers split and yes, trying to get that off knackered both its feed and the exit to the front crossover. Taking the front crossover off knackered the other oil cooler. Anyhow, I supplied two new coolers (SJ), the dealer supplied the pipes. Parts (pipes only) and labour to fit the lot came to

[jcbjs 260]

Well I received the bad news that both of my Oil Cooler Lines are leaking at the engine and at both coolers. No oil spots in the garage. Dealer said that they should be replaced and the process has a high labor rate. He quoted me a price of $1200US for the labor plus parts (will end up at a $2000US bill). Is this reasonable? Has anyone changed these and if so how difficult is this procedure? I heard that many people have issues with the fitting on the oil cooler and they end up replacing the coolers because they snap off.

Is $2000US a reasonable price for this job? I have rebuild engines and changed brakes and radiators before but this job looks intimidating to me. Has anyone done this procedure before and how difficult was it.

Please help

JoeyO

2001 V8

Hi JoeyO, I have just replaced new washers at the engine end of the oil cooler pipes and that stopped the leak that I had, just cost a few pence. I had oil spots on the garage floor and I think if there is just a dampness around the connectors I would not replace the pipes. I have never replaced the pipes but I cannot see it being a difficult job compared to an engine rebuild and I think the price you have been quoted is too expensive. Hope you get things sorted out . cheers Len

[joeyoesprit]

Hi JoeyO, I have just replaced new washers at the engine end of the oil cooler pipes and that stopped the leak that I had, just cost a few pence. I had oil spots on the garage floor and I think if there is just a dampness around the connectors I would not replace the pipes. I have never replaced the pipes but I cannot see it being a difficult job compared to an engine rebuild and I think the price you have been quoted is too expensive. Hope you get things sorted out . cheers Len

Can you tell me the size of the washers?

[jcbjs 260]

Can you tell me the size of the washers?

I used dowdy washers 24mm. inside measurement. cheers len Edited October 26, 2006 by jcbjs 260

[indaville]

Is $2000US a reasonable price for this job? I have rebuild engines and changed brakes and radiators before but this job looks intimidating to me. Has anyone done this procedure before and how difficult was it.

Please help

JoeyO

2001 V8

How many miles do you have on the engine?

Matt

[joeyoesprit]

How many miles do you have on the engine?

Matt

almost 21,500 miles

Also noticed that the dealership bent 2 of my jacking tabs AGAIN!!!

JoeyO

[cweeden]

I had the oil lines replaced on my 2000 V8 GT due to a leak at the front passenger side (UK) oil cooler.

My garage is not a Lotus dealer but is run by an ex Lotus mechanic who takes huge pride in his work.

He explained that there is an adaptor between the oil coolers and the pipes and usually the pipes corrode themselves onto these adapters but the adapters are often NOT corroded to the coolers.

If you cut the pipes near the unions and then remove the adaptors with the remians of the pipes from the coolers the chance of damaging the coolers is greatly reduced if not eliminated.

I can't remember how much I was charged but the figures here do look excessive, I would personaly be very disappointed with any garage who damages a 700 quid cooler whilst changing hoses.

cheers

-Chris

BTW the garage I use is D&H Autos in Woking, surrey.

[superdavelotus]

I think anyone who has a problem with the oil cooler pipes should contact Lotus and make them aware of this problem. I had the same problem myself with no visible damage to the external section. Pipe burst from inner section.

[joeyoesprit]

Just wanted to give everyone an update.

I picked up the car yesterday and told the dealer not to perfrom any work on the oil cooler lines. I don't see any oil leaks on the coolers so I think they are fine (I hope). The only area that is wet is around the fittings. So far I have seen no oil drops on the floor; the connectors just looks wet and dirty. The engine connection looks wetter than the connections at the oil cooler, but again I could not see any oil dripping. I took the car out for a drive last night and drove it harder than usually and this morning... no oil spots on the floor under any of the fittings. I think this is a good sign, because if they fittings are leaking then I would have seen some oil on the floor.

To my knowledge no one has tighten these lines. Someone stated that I should remove the fittings, clean them and reinstall and that might solve my problem. But I have heard horror stories of people breaking off the oil cooler connectors in trying to do this process. Since the connectors at the engine are worse I was thinking about trying this procedure on them first and waiting on the oil cooler connectors until I have to change out the radiator.

The dealer did indicate to me that if these lines were not replaced they could "burst" and they have seen it before! After reading superdavelotus' reply it makes me wonder ever more on whether there is a real issue with these oil cooler lines/fittings. I will notify Lotus of the situation and see what happens before I do anything. For a car that is 3 years old and less than 22,000 it is hard to believe that oil lines/fittings should leak... I have never seen it on other cars at such an early age. But this is my first Lotus so maybe they age faster.

JoeyO

[glynherron]

For a car that is 3 years old and less than 22,000 it is hard to believe that oil lines/fittings should leak... I have never seen it on other cars at such an early age. But this is my first Lotus so maybe they age faster.

JoeyO

I have just stripped down my oil coolers today (52V8)

Lotus have used 3 x aluminium and 1 x steel 1/2" BSP fittings (there's only about 3 threads inside the oil cooler body and they weren't tapped deep enough to accept full length fittings).

The steel fitting came undone straight away.

The aly corrodes inside the steel fittings on the end of the flexy pipe and yep - solid. There also appears to be some form of hydraulic sealant used - great!!

However, they did unscrew from the cooler body no problem at all - they use a dowty washer - (a washer with a rubber inner).

As I persevered with removing the aly fittings from the flexy pipe, the threads 'picked up' and got tighter (yep used loads of penetrating oil). Anyhow I forced off the fitting. The aluminium threads (of the fitting) had gone and were left inside the flexible pipe fitting! - But 2 hours and loads of patience later using a needle file, the aluminium was gone and the fittings are good.

I have tapped out the cooler bodies (original size) 1/2" BSP but now deep enough now to accept steel fittings and I'm confident it won't happen gain.

What would I do in your situation?

Thoroughly degrease the area and look for which fitting is leaking and from where.

If its between the oil cooler body and the 1/2" BSP fitting, I would try giving it a gentle 'nip'

Its unlikely to be between the flexible hose fitting and the 1/2" BSP fitting

My Esprit was accident damaged and during the accident the flexible pipe on the left hand side was forced against the cooler which came undone (where the dowty washer is). Maybe over time this is all that has hapened.

I can't comment on the engine side as I've no experience.

Just remember if the oil cooler/fittings let go suddenly it could be no brakes and steering!!

Hope this makes sense

Glyn

[Winter]

I had both pipes replaced last month arising from the replacement of the water radiator. Moving one of the oil coolers disturbed the union which led to a weep and on close inspection, the other pipe at engine end was ballooning.

My local agents did the job and, in fairness, did it well. Both pipes were replaced plus the transfer pipe that goes in front of the radiator. Fortunately, all unions withstood the assault. The two long pipes and cross were

[glynherron]

What rankles is the way couplings seize. I have had very bad experiences with air-con pipes and condensers plus all the fixtures and fittings that hold the valance and related shrouds. They seem to have the super-glue equivalent of instant thread adhesion.

4 of the 6 bolts that fasten the radiator cowl sheared, 2 of the 4 oil cooler, and just about all the undershield sheared!! and the cars just 4 years old (and for almost one of those years has been off the road!)

my condenser couplings are exactly the same - the aluminium threads came off into th steel fitting. I'm yet to decide what to do to repair it!!

I feel a stainless steel order coming on.

Glyn

[jcbjs 260]

Joey. I see you have recieved a lot of interest in this subject. I think if it is not broken do not mend it. The fact that there is no oil leaks on your garage floor leads me to believe there is nothing for happening soon . I work with heavy plant and have seen dampness around joints many times ( much higher pressure) and have never saw a pipe blow off where the dampness occurred but I suppose there is always a first time. I think again I would leave it alone. If you look for trouble around these cars you will definately find it. cheers len

[joeyoesprit]

Joey. I see you have recieved a lot of interest in this subject. I think if it is not broken do not mend it. The fact that there is no oil leaks on your garage floor leads me to believe there is nothing for happening soon . I work with heavy plant and have seen dampness around joints many times ( much higher pressure) and have never saw a pipe blow off where the dampness occurred but I suppose there is always a first time. I think again I would leave it alone. If you look for trouble around these cars you will definately find it. cheers len

I tend to agree with you. I also asked the dealership to check and make sure it is not the oil pressure switch which tends to leak and is common problem. The dealer had no comment merely the hoses need to be replaced.

I also had them do the can belt adjustment and when I got home noticed both cam belt cover loose! I'm very upset how the dealer is doing the service on my car. I think it is time to complain to Lotus USA and see if I get a reaction or even a response. They should be aware that some dealers are not representing them correctly. The salesman at the dealership are fine and knowledgeable but their service department needs a lot of work.

JoeyO